God works in so many different places, and uses so many different people for one purpose; to glorify His name and draw more people to the body of Christ. I remember listening to a young missionary from China describe how He, and a small group of people were spending their days getting to know the local people in a rural town in China. He described how they would meet in someone’s home for “church” to hear the message of the gospel. He told story after story how one person would commit their life to Jesus, and then another, and another. I was fascinated by the stories because they illustrated that God was drawing people to Himself in China the same way He was doing it in my neighborhood. It was a great illustration of 2 Timothy 2:2, “The things which you have heard and seen from me in the presence of many witnesses, teach these to others, so they will be able to teach others also.” The message of Jesus moved from one person to another “and the Lord was adding to their number day by day those who were being saved” (Acts 2:47). God uses all different types of people to accomplish His work.
One of the groups participating in spreading the message of Jesus in our community is Young Life, and my wife and I have had the privilege of spending time with them and seeing first-hand how God works through this group of amazing Christ followers. I was not familiar with Young Life growing up, so I did not know much about what they do, however, as I have watched over the past several years it is pretty clear. They serve the Lord by cultivating relationships at the local high school and hold weekly outreach events to share the message of Jesus. They also conduct weekly Bible studies for those who commit their life to Christ in order to help them grow in their relationship. Sounded a lot like 2 Timothy 2:2 to me. Recently our house became the weekly meeting spot for the group to have their Bible study sessions. As we have gotten to know the leaders and many of the kids, God has opened an amazing number of doors to both serve Him and minister to His servants.
The ministry work itself started from a random conversation (not really, but you know what I mean) with one of the Young Life leaders. He made the statement to me that, “it is sometimes challenging to pour your life into others without finding ways to renew yourself.” God used that statement as a prompting to consider ways that my wife and I might be able to come alongside some of these leaders serving the Lord and invest in THEM so they can be encouraged in their work with the high school students in our community. One thing led to another, and today, we host a study in our home which includes several of these leaders where we spend time seeking God’s wisdom, and “stimulating one another to love and good deeds.” (Hebrews 10:24) God has provided a fantastic opportunity for my wife and I to support these younger servants of God, and through the process, He has richly blessed us with new relationships and a refreshed spirit to find ways to serve those serving Him in our community. I view the opportunity through the lens of Colossians 1:28, “We proclaim Him, admonishing every man and teaching every man with all wisdom, so that we may present every man complete in Christ. For this purpose also I labor, striving according to the power, which mightily works within me.” Where do you have opportunity to serve others for the sake of the gospel? Do you know anyone who is pouring their lives out for the sake of Christ that could use some encouragement? God often works through people to accomplish His purpose and who knows what He can do in your life if you will get involved.
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